J&K youth admits to planning terror attacks in Delhi: Police

J&K police today claimed that the youth arrested on Sunday in connection with the Delhi terror scare call has admitted to planning attacks in the country’s capital. The police claim was refuted by the youth's family. Peerzada Ashiq reports.

J&K Police on Monday claimed the youth arrested yesterday in connection with the Delhi terror scare call has admitted to planning attacks in the country’s capital. The police claim was refuted by the youth's family.

“He (Omar) was involved in planning explosions in New Delhi and he has confessed his involvement,” said Superintendent Police City South, Irshad Ahmad said.

Umar Zargar (22), a resident of Srinagar’s downtown Nawab Bazar, was picked up by the police on April 23 for being ardent stone-thrower. But, now it unfolds that Zargar was picked up on specific inputs from national and foreign intelligence agencies. The police claimed to have recovered a satellite phone and other material from his possession.

Police sources said Umar’s e-mail IDs and mobile phones were identified and were being scanned to unravel the terror network.

“He (Umar) was wanted in a case of making terror calls and sending e-mails. We have found incriminating evidence against him,” confirmed SP Ahmad, who is Investigating Officer in the case.

Police claimed to have recovered a satellite phone and other material from his possession. The alleged militant’s Maruti car was also seized by the police.

Investigations in the case pointed out Umar was in contact with one Zeeshan, who claimed to be in Saudi Arabia. “Zeeshan is also a local. Beside Umar had spoken to one Code name Hanzala once only,” said police sources.

“It also surfaced all the three planners of action were Kashmiri, which was a deliberate design to make the attack look carried out by Kashmiris,” said police sources.

Umar Zargar, a school dropout, is working as contractor with the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force. Umar’s father Ghulam Sheikh, however, refuted the police claims. “Umar is not involved in any such activity and is innocent,” said Sheikh.

He claimed that Umar was released last Monday on bail after being picked up on April 23. Police sources said Umar was supposed to receive an assignment on April 23, which he did not get and the police released him later. The family alleged that the police, who raided his house on Sunday, took away Rs 10 lakh and gold valuables.